Over the years, the transport sector has undergone revolutionary development and advancements compared to none other. Among the main factors that were, and have been considered thereby contributing to the development of the transport sector, is the environment. It is notable and unarguably evident that the previous forms and means of transport were great contributors to environmental degradation. This prompted environmentalists and transport experts to seek for better means of transport that do not harm the environment, and if they do, then at a lower level than earlier. In the present day, almost all over the world, environmental suffering in the hands of transport has greatly reduced thanks to technology and other improvements in transport. This paper analyses an article from September 2012 by LEITNER ropeways Press Release that mainly talks of environmentally-friendly urban transport solutions.
Summary
LEITNER ropeways are a business that deals with creating transport on ropes literarily, using cabins that carry up to fifty passengers without a driver. This system of transport comes with numerous benefits, more than any other transport system has ever had to offer. There is less congestion and pollution, and a comfortable ride in the cabins that offer a fantastic view of the area being traveled. There is a great improvement in the lives of people living in cities. So far the company has achieved 2,000 kilometers of ropeway operating in 50 countries.
There are many benefits which directly tap into environmental benefits. The ropeways have been seen to require little space and they do not conflict with other traffic as roads and railways. Obstacles do not pose a challenge to ropeway order, as they overcome any that is in their way (physical). In addition, they handle steep roads better than other means of transport. As if that is not enough, the investment and operating costs are lower due to the lower staff required in using the system. There is no need of drivers in the cabins since they are driven by motors that use energy, adjustable according to the number of people being carried.
Ropeways are faster in the city and this obviously reduces the chaotic street traffic and improves road traffic in lively commercial cities. There have been historical tourists’ sites whose accessibility was a hurdle until the installation of an 8-passenger gondola lift in Narikala over the old city of Tbilisi, which saved people the walk all over to that fortress. Significantly, ropeways are unique for their tailor made property meet individual requirements of the situation.
Analysis
An analytical review of the above summarized study reveals a number of strengths and weaknesses that the author displays.
In considering the issue of environment, the author does not go on to mentioning the obvious environmental benefits as pollution of air and global warming. He mentions, though indirectly, the other parts of the environment such as the people, their lives and the company’s financial state. People and their lives as part of the environment, he mentions how they benefit from the ropeway system by making transportation faster, more comfortable and easier street and road traffic. The mention of the lower investment and operating costs being lower is a benefit to the company that is also part of the environment. Among other strengths include, citing of examples, use of images to show the operation of the ropeway transport system, and above all giving a source at the end where further information can be obtained.
It is a duty upon any author to have his/her work praised and in doing so, many errors are avoided and in this case, only a few weaknesses were noted. Foremost, there was poor citation and it runs to zero evident by a look at the whole article where no single citation was found. Secondly, failure to mention some of the basic benefits that come along with the ropeway system shows ignorance of the author towards the reader in assuming the obvious. Benefits like low transportation costs and lesser green house effect alongside global warming were not mentioned. Last but not least, failure to mention some of the disadvantages or dangers involved with the new transport system. In as much as ropeways have many advantages, there are dangers, disadvantages and problems that arise, as a result. None of these was mentioned and this, therefore, puts the author at a weak point in his article.
Works Cited
Leitner Ropeways. Ropeways solve traffic problems in cities. LEITNER ropeways Press Release. September 2012. http://www.press-service.info/leitner-ropeways-en/?id=article&parentid=texte_urban_passenger_transpor&articleid=26
